Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Translator Wjin
Chapter 34
“Hey. It looks like you spent some money.”
As soon as I returned to the dugout, Jin Myung-hwan asked.
“What money are you talking about?”
“You changed your bat, glove, and even your batting gloves to brand new ones. Before, you were using something like rags.”
He was talking about the baseball equipment I received from Lee Si-ha.
“The design looks pretty expensive. Where did you get it?”
Jin Myung-hwan carefully examined my bat, and seeing the brand name Nixon, he tilted his head.
“Wait, Nixon sold baseball equipment?”
Jin Myung-hwan's question was natural. Nixon Sports had excelled in most sports, but their baseball business was practically in the process of withdrawal.
“They’ve been selling it since way back. It just wasn't popular.”
“Really? Is it good to use?”
“Yeah. It’s pretty good.”
This wasn’t some lip service I was giving because I signed a contract with Lee Si-ha; it was my genuine opinion.
I knew Nixon would take the #1 spot in the baseball equipment industry in the future, so I thought this prototype might be good, but after using it, it was better than I expected.
It was almost as good as the equipment I used during my active career.
“A bat endorsed by the real Cha Tae-hyun… Should I buy one too?”
“You can’t.”
“Huh? Why?”
“It’s not for sale yet.”
A sudden thought occurred to me.
Wouldn't Lee Si-ha be quite surprised if she saw me using these prototypes? Baseball players, even if they change bats, usually don't change gloves, as they prefer one that fits perfectly.
Perhaps she’d be so touched by the voluntary promotion that she’d even give me an incentive.
Actually, I changed gloves because my old one was too worn out, but... there are some things you don't need to announce to the world.
“If you need one, buy it when I advertise it next time.”
“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean? Advertising?”
“You’ll see it soon on YouTube, where you spend all your time.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇;
The game was already in the top of the 4th inning, and the score was still 2:0.
As you can see from the score, Hwacheong High's pitcher was holding on surprisingly well.
Even though he collapsed after giving up a home run, he seemed to have recovered his mental game quickly.
Because of that, I really hoped he wouldn't walk me and would actually pitch to me...
"Ball!"
Seeing the first pitch that was clearly outside the strike zone, it seemed he was able to make a rational judgment with his recovered mental strength.
The second pitch as well.
"Ball!"
A pitch that went far outside.
Even though I had the nickname "bad ball hitter," I couldn't swing at a pitch like that.
"Ball! Four-ball!"
In the end, I had to walk to first base without even swinging the bat once.
Teacher Mi-yeon had said she would hug me for 5 minutes since I hit 5 consecutive home runs last time.
I was going to use that as an excuse to hit as many home runs as possible so I could stay in her arms for a long time...
How dare he ruin my precious time...?
This was unforgivable.
Until now, I hadn't stolen bases due to concerns about injury, as I was still in the process of building up my body.
But this time, I had to run.
No, I would definitely run.
The 5th batter, Lee Ji-ho, stepped up to the plate, and I started my lead the moment Hwacheong High's pitcher stepped on the rubber.
Slowly, one step... two steps... two and a half steps... usually, this was the average lead.
However... during my active career, I used to take a lead of four steps, and sometimes even four and a half steps depending on the situation.
Firstly, I was confident in my speed, and my baserunning sense and intuitive ability to read timing, which determine the success of a stolen base, were excellent.
Most importantly, the key was that Lee Ji-ho, who was currently at bat, was a left-handed batter.
When a left-handed batter is at the plate, the catcher's vision is limited, making it difficult to check first base, which significantly increases the stolen base success rate.
So... it was worth taking a bold lead of four and a half steps.
I, who achieved a 40-40 (home runs-stolen bases) season in the majors, can vouch for this.
Of course, that's my standard, and in the eyes of that Hwacheong High pitcher, I probably looked like I was begging to be killed.
I was focusing on the pitcher when he glanced at me and then quickly threw to first base.
It was a pretty good pickoff attempt, but I turned around and ran the moment I recognized his pickoff motion, sliding into the base just as my hand touched it.
"Safe!"
I got up and dusted off the dirt from my uniform.
Hwacheong High's pitcher had a disappointed expression, but well... was he truly disappointed?
To the naked eye, it was a close call, but to me, it felt incredibly easy.
To the point where I felt I wouldn't be picked off again.
In other words, I would continue to disrupt the pitcher with my lead.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇;
'Ugh... this is really driving me crazy.'
Kim Taewhan was on the verge of his head exploding because of Cha Tae-hyun on first base.
At first, seeing his absurdly wide lead, he thought, "What? Is he crazy?"
It was clearly a lead wide enough to pick him off easily.
"Safe!"
But...
'Why can't I pick him off?'
He had already thrown three pickoff attempts, but Cha Tae-hyun was still safe and taking his lead again.
And he was even smiling.
'Taewhan, just throw the ball...'
The Hwacheong High catcher, unable to stand it anymore, called for a high fastball inside. It meant he was suggesting to throw the ball, assuming Cha Tae-hyun would run.
Kim Taewhan nodded and soon threw the first pitch.
A high fastball that went far outside. The catcher took a throwing stance as soon as he caught it, but Cha Tae-hyun stood still, as if he already knew.
The subsequent second pitch was also a fastball that went outside. The catcher took a throwing stance again, but Cha Tae-hyun, like a ghost, knew and remained still.
'Now, it's awkward to throw a ball outside...'
It was already 2 balls, and the count was too bad to keep throwing outside pitches.
However, if he threw an honest fastball into the strike zone, he was likely to get hit by Lee Ji-ho.
'...A curveball should be fine.'
Would he really run here? If so, he would seriously suspect that his signs were being stolen.
Or... he was just genuinely a madman with incredible senses.
The catcher gave the sign, and Kim Taewhan nodded.
Third pitch. The moment Kim Taewhan swung his arm violently, the catcher's eyes widened.
In his vision, Cha Tae-hyun, who had been standing still, grinned and turned his body to run.
It was a curveball that went far down, so Lee Ji-ho didn't swing, and the catcher quickly caught the ball and threw it, but...
"Safe!"
Cha Tae-hyun had already touched the base.
Kim Taewhan shook his head for a moment and then threw the ball again, and...
CRACK!
Lee Ji-ho cleanly hit the inside cutter.
The ball soared far and hit the fence, and the left fielder frantically picked up the ball and threw it, but since Cha Tae-hyun had started from second base instead of first, there was enough time for him to score.
This made the score 3:0.
"Haa..."
Kim Taewhan, raising his head and sighing deeply, muttered.
"This baseball is so messed up..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇;
Cha Tae-hyun continued to attempt stolen bases, as if one wasn't enough to satisfy him.
"Ah! Cha Tae-hyun! He steals second base again! It's his third stolen base already! Can he really see the future? Even I, watching on screen, can't believe it, so how must pitcher Kim Taewhan feel? His expression is really not good right now."
"That's understandable. For a pitcher, giving up a stolen base is a real blow to his pride. Moreover, look at Cha Tae-hyun's lead. I shouldn't say this, but it's like he's openly mocking Kim Taewhan."
└ Tae... Taeyeon, my... my condolences. Stop... stop it.
└ Why is he doing this? He never stole bases before.
└ LOL;; Feels like he’s totally trying to get under the pitcher’s skin? lol
└ Thank goodness he’s a Phoenix player;; if he did that on another team, it’d be terrifying.
└ I would’ve punched my TV for real.
└ We’re just watching on TV, but Kim Taewhan probably wants to punch Cha Tae-hyun’s face right now lolol
Contrary to the viewers' concerns, Kim Taewhan managed to maintain his composure even after giving up three consecutive stolen bases.
However... that was only up to the third consecutive stolen base.
"Hahahaha! No, Cha Tae-hyun, what is this? He's just wiggling his body back and forth as if he's going to run, but he's not! Kim Taewhan must be really angry!"
└ lololololol wtf lol
└ This is seriously not right lol
└ It’s psychological warfare—don’t disrespect our Tae-hyun God.
└ Wow… if he can endure this, I’ll have to respect his mental strength, Kim Taewhan.
└ How can he even stand this?
└ Cha Tae-hyun’s probably gonna get hit by a pitch in his next at-bat, not walk lol
In the top of the 7th, Cha Tae-hyun's teasing lead finally broke Kim Taewhan's mental game.
"Ah! Kim Taewhan's throw was too high! The ball gets past him! Cha Tae-hyun immediately ran! Safe! Safe! He steals second base again! Ah~ Kim Taewhan must be having such a hard time!"
Kim Taewhan closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
'What did I do wrong to deserve this...?'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇;
In the end, Hyeoksan High won the first game with a rather large score difference of 9:0.
Kim Taewhan, who had held on relatively well until the 7th inning, finally collapsed, leading to a significant score difference.
The coach, who seemed very pleased with today's game, announced that he would treat the team to a group dinner.
As for me, naturally...
"Are you going to see your lover again? Your lover is amazing, coming all the way to Seoul."
"No... it's not a lover."
"Well... what's the point of eating with a bunch of guys anyway? Go."
Teacher Mi-yeon was waiting, so I discreetly left.
"Tae-hyun, you're here?"
Seeing Teacher Mi-yeon smile brightly as soon as she saw me made the fatigue I felt disappear.
"Tae-hyun, can you follow me for a moment?"
I didn't know where we were going, but since Teacher Mi-yeon had extended her hand, it was right to follow her obediently.
The place we arrived at wasn't far. It was the very first row of the stands on the first base side.
"Teacher thought about it, and if you come about 2 hours early, you can definitely sit here."
"Yes? 2 hours? Why come so early? It's already hard to come all the way to Seoul."
I said it out of genuine concern for Teacher Mi-yeon.
"Because I can see you clearly, Tae-hyun."
My lips curled upwards at Teacher Mi-yeon's smile, as if she were saying, "Isn't that enough?"
"So if you want to see Teacher during the game... Ta-Tae-hyun?"
I hugged Teacher Mi-yeon somewhat impulsively. I just... wanted to hug her after hearing her say that.
"Since I hit a home run today..."
"That's right. You did well. You did well, Taeyeon."
Teacher Mi-yeon was startled for a moment, then buried her face in my chest and gently wrapped her arms around my waist.
"The conversation we were having earlier was cut off, so... that means you can find me in this seat when you're looking for me. I'll always be here from now on."
"Yes. I'll only look here."
Perhaps my answer was satisfactory enough. Teacher Mi-yeon chuckled, her face still buried in my chest.
"Yes. Only look here. Teacher will always be here."